Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
519. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost of increasing the electricity and gas allowance under the household benefits package from €35 to €40 and €45; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43061/24]
View answerThe Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €294 million this year on the Household Benefits Package.
People over the age of 70 receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
Based on an average of 523,000 recipients of the electricity/gas element of the Household Benefits Package in 2025, if the increases to the electricity/gas element outlined by the Deputy were introduced in 2025, the estimated additional yearly cost would be as follows:
|
Proposed Monthly Rate Increase |
New Monthly Rate |
Proposed Annual Rate Increase |
Number of Recipients |
Additional Annual Cost |
|
€5 |
€40 |
€60 |
523,000 |
€31.4m |
|
€10 |
€45 |
€120 |
523,000 |
€62.8m |
All proposals, including the proposals outlined by the Deputy could only be considered while taking account of overall Government policy and in a budgetary context.
I trust that this clarifies these matters for the Deputy.
